January 2017 - Welcome to Brand USA's monthly media newsletter with all the top stateside news spanning the next few months. Please include the URL www.VisitTheUSA.com / www.VisitTheUSA.co.uk to entice your readers with more USA adventures.

Experience the sights and sounds of the USA on the big screen this month

• La La Land will see Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling re-unite as a jazz musician and actress looking to further their careers in Los Angeles. This musical romance provides viewers with a whistle-stop tour of where to find love in LA, including scenes shot on Colorado Street Bridge, Pasadena; dining at Grand Central Market in Downtown; at the Rialto Theatre, South Pasadena, as the lead characters attend a showing of Rebel Without a Cause; and dancing on Hermosa Beach Pier (pictured). Oscar-tipped La La Land will be in UK cinemas from 13th www.VisitTheUSA.com/destination/Los-Angeles
• Also due for a UK release on 13th January, Manchester by the Sea has been tipped for Oscars victory from early reviews. The drama follows a janitor working in Quincy, Massachusetts as he relocates to his hometown Manchester-by-the-Sea to take on the responsibility of caring for his nephew. Principal photography took place in the namesake town, with other north shore locations in Beverley, Gloucester, Lynn, Salem and Swampscott. Manchester-by-the-Sea, a 45 minute drive up the Massachusetts coast from Boston, is located on Cape Ann and is known for its scenic beaches and vista points, including Singing Beach, named as such due to sand that squeaks when walked on. VisitTheUSA.com/Massachusetts
• Washington, D.C. and Maryland star alongside Natalie Portman as she portrays the title character in Jackie, released on 20th A portrait of one of the most tragic moments in U.S. history, Jackie follows the First Lady, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy as she fights to establish JFK's legacy following his assassination in 1963. Tred Avon Manor in Royal Oak, Maryland, is used as the family summer home and locations across Washington, D.C. feature heavily, including JFK's funeral procession from the White House to Cathedral of St. Matthew. John F. Kennedy would be celebrating his 100th birthday in May 2017. www.VisitTheUSA.com/destination/Washington-DC   

Houston prepares to be bowled over

Houston will host the 2017 Super Bowl taking place on 5th February at the NRG Stadium. With a free-entry Super Bowl LIVE festival based in and around Discovery Green Park in downtown Houston from 28th January, ahead of the main event, the city is gearing up for the sports event of the year. Houston pride will be the overarching theme throughout Super Bowl LIVE – from the performers to the attractions and the food throughout the festival. The Super Saturday schedule includes music from ZZ TOP, Gary Clark Jr and The Suffers, with Houston and Texas based music playing throughout the week. Houston has recently welcomed a new direct flight from Manchester with Singapore Airlines which commenced in October 2016.

www.VisitTheUSA.com/destination/Houston / www.housuperbowl.com

U.S. airports give a pig welcome to visitors

Travellers arriving to San Francisco, California and Albany, New York are now being greeted by a therapy pig. The San Francisco Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) programme has introduced LiLou (pictured), a Juliana-breed pig, to its Wag Brigade team of pets, whilst Albany Airport has debuted a pig named Bacon Bits. The programme has previously included dog, cat and rabbit volunteer teams with rescue pigs being introduced to provide further surprise and delight to visitors arriving, as petting and interaction with the friendly porcines is encouraged. The news follows the introduction of a one-eyed pug as a hotel porter at the Park Hyatt Hotel Chicago.

www.VisitTheUSA.com/California / www.VisitTheUSA.com/state/New-York

Stretch in style as HeliYoga launches in Las Vegas

Yogis can now enjoy a luxury helicopter flight with a private 75-minute yoga session at the Valley of Fire State Park – one of the most remote destinations in southwest USA. With unsurpassed views of the area's spectacular red sandstone formations, the nature-inspired yoga workout also gives passengers the opportunity to explore the remote landscape before joining a certified Silent Savasana yoga instructor. The 2.5 hour excursion is for a maximum of 6 people and includes a tranquil yoga class created by renowned instructor, Dray Gardner, during which participants wear state-of-the-art headphones with a custom playlist and instructions. Following the class, students can enjoy a champagne toast and a breathtaking flight over downtown Las Vegas. Maverick Helicopters – which will celebrate 20 years of providing visitors with unforgettable helicopter tours in 2017 – and Silent Savasana – an award-winning yoga company based in Las Vegas – have partnered exclusively to launch the HeliYoga experience. Namaste!

www.VisitTheUSA.com/destination/Las-Vegas / www.silentsavasana.com / www.maverickhelicopter.com

Surfs up in Austin, Texas

NLand is the only surfing destination of its kind in the USA which has been founded by engineer and surfer, Doug Coors. With a mission of bringing the perfect wave break anywhere, the in-land lagoon in Austin, Texas, features waves for surfers of all levels, including head-high, open face waves with a 35-second ride for experts; challenging open face waves for passionate travel surfers; and gentle white water waves for beginners. The lagoon is set to open in early 2017 with surf passes ranging from $60 to $90. 

www.VisitTheUSA.com/destination/Austin / www.nlandsurfpark.com

Key West Historic Homes Tour launched

Famed for its former residents Ernest Hemingway, President Harry S. Truman and Tennessee Williams, Key West has a number of intriguing homes, offering visitors an insight into the lives and influences of the island's famous names. The Old Island Restoration Foundation (OIRF) has launched a series of Key West Historic Homes guided tours which have been announced for weekends in January, February and March 2017. Each tour will explore the island's architectural highlights, including exquisite 19th-century cottages and ornate Victorian mansions. From $30. www.VisitTheUSA.com/destination/Florida-Keys-and-Key-West / www.oirf.org

New 'Land and Sky' Scenic Byway designated in Kansas

The Sunflower State's north western high plains are now home to its twelfth designated themed route, the 'Land and Sky' Scenic Byway. Officially opened last month, road trippers can now take in the vast wheat fields, soybean and sunflowers along 88 miles of US Highway 27. The route showcases Kansas' vibrant agriculture and farming communities, starting in Sharon Springs and heading north to the Nebraska state line. Travellers taking the new byway will pass cosy B&B's; authentic country restaurants; the world's largest painting on an easel in Goodland (pictured); and the stunning Arikaree Breaks – where the high plains give way to a panorama of deep ravines and gullies. www.VisitTheUSA.com/Kansas / www.travelksok.co.uk 

-ENDS- 

Discover this land, like never before VisitTheUSA.com

Brand USA is the public-private partnership responsible for promoting the United States as a premier travel destination and communicating U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures. Established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010, the organisation's mission is to increase international visitation to the United States while working in partnership with the travel industry to maximise the economic and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs essential to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures. For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit TheBrandUSA.com.

For information about travel to and around the United States, please visit Brand USA's consumer website at VisitTheUSA.com / VisitTheUSA.co.uk

For further Brand USA, UK/Ireland press information, contact:

Polly Beech / Sarah Barnett / Paula Peralta

pbeech@thebrandusa.co.uk / sbarnett@thebrandusa.co.uk / pperalta@thebrandusa.co.uk

020 7845 6359 / 020 7845 6378 / 020 7845 6383